Sir Tom Stoppard is among British theatre’s giants.

Hermione Lee's evocative and immersive biography tells the story of the man and his work. Read by Alex Jennings.

Since 1964, Stoppard has been writing for the theatre, big screen, TV and radio. His plays are among the most studied of the last century.

As a young child, he was forced to flee Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia; growing up in India and then England.

A campaigning activist on behalf of Eastern European and Soviet prisoners of conscience - along with the influence of, and his friendship with Václav Havel.

And always his work, the writing, rehearsing, casting and his ever present humour.

Tom remains at the forefront of British theatrical life, even in a moment of crisis. His personal and highly acclaimed play, Leopoldstadt, fell victim to Covid-19, when its run in the West End was suspended in March, 2020, before resuming in August, 2021.

Read by Alex Jennings.

Hermione Lee is a leading literary biographer, and with access to private papers, diaries and letters, interviews with the playwright's friends, and Stoppard himself, she has created an intimate portrait of the writer.

Abridged in five parts by Katrin Williams.

Producer: Elizabeth Allard.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2020. Show less